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| October 31, 2003 | Friday | Ramazan 4, 1424 |
Arsenal land heavy fine, four players banned
LONDON, Oct 30: Arsenal were fined 175,000 pounds ($298,100) on Thursday for failing to control their players in the 0-0 English Premier League draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sept 21.
The English Football Association also fined and banned four Arsenal players — defenders Lauren and Martin Keown, captain Patrick Vieira and fellow midfielder Ray Parlour — for their behaviour at the match.
Arsenal were also reprimanded and warned about their future conduct after a lengthy disciplinary hearing at FA headquarters in central London attended by the club’s lawyers and manager Arsene Wenger.
Arsenal’s fine was the second largest handed out to a club in English soccer history. Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur were fined 1.5 million for financial irregularities in 1994.
Cameroon defender Lauren was banned for four matches and fined 40,000 pounds for violent behaviour and improper conduct.
Keown received a three-match ban and a 20,000 pounds fine for violent behaviour. Parlour was banned for one match and fined 10,000 pounds for improper conduct and Vieira was banned for one-game and fined £20,000, also for improper conduct.
The bans take effect from Monday, Nov 17, the FA said.
All five Arsenal players had admitted the misconduct charges and Arsenal Football Club admitted failing to control their players during the game.
The game at Old Trafford exploded into life when Vieira was sent off in the 81st minute of the game for kicking out at United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Van Nistelrooy then missed a last-minute penalty and, after the final whistle a furious melee ensued, with Lauren, Keown and Parlour all confronting the Dutch striker.
A fifth Arsenal player, England defender Ashley Cole, escaped a ban but was warned about his future conduct and fined £10,000 for a confrontation with United winger Cristiano Ronaldo after the final whistle.
Arsenal said in a statement on their official website they were considering whether to appeal.
Ronaldo and United team mate Ryan Giggs, who plan to contest charges of misconduct relating to the same game, are yet to have their hearings.—Reuters
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